Ironicus tries to pick up where he left off in Fort Marcy

ELMONT, N.Y. – With two graded stakes victories, Ironicus seemed on his way to becoming a significant player in the male turf division last year before being sidelined last fall by a cracked cannon bone.

Following surgery and a recuperative period, Ironicus will look to make a new charge to the upper echelon of the turf division when he kicks off his 5-year-old campaign in next Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Fort Marcy Stakes at Belmont Park.

Ironicus, a son of Distorted Humor trained by Shug McGaughey for owner-breeder Stuart Janney III, went 4 for 6 in 2015, including wins in the Grade 2 Dixie at Pimlico and the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga. Ironicus set a Saratoga Mellon turf-course record in the Baruch, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:38.54, which eclipsed a 25-year-old mark held by Fourstardave.

During his recuperative period, Ironicus trained at Niall Brennan’s farm in Ocala, Fla., before moving to Belmont Park in early April. He had a three-furlong breeze in 36.60 seconds at Belmont on Monday and was scheduled to breeze again this weekend.

“He’s got a good bottom in him; he won’t need one,” McGaughey said. “This is the race I had in mind the whole time.”

A solid field is expected for the Fort Marcy, including Blacktype, Force the Pass, Howe Great, Legendary, Messi, Perfect Title, Red Rifle, and Roman Approval. Chocolate Ride and Smooth Daddy are possible for the race.